Originally Posted by
eogie
So I DO need to get a new hub? The reason I keep second guessing everyone's statement is because I was told by a mechanic that I would have to replace nearly everything to convert to 10 spd....and the fact that I'm getting different answers.
Here's just about everything you need to know about 7-8-9-10 speed stuff without having to worry about someone selling you something. No, you don't need to spread the rear triangle on an 8 speed. It's a 130mm hub (measure to be sure
) and, if it will take an 8 speed cassette, it will take a 10.
Shimano will tell you that you need to replace it all but they are in the business of selling parts. The more they sell the more they make. But, realistically, there are many compatible parts. Derailers - front or rear - don't care what kind of shifter is tied to them (mountain and road are different in the front only). Shifters only care about the number of shifts you need to make on the front (2 or 3) and rear (7 to 10). Cranks haven't changed between 7 and 10 (with some small differences that aren't that important).
To make this kind of change, assuming that the current parts are working well and not worn out, you'll need a cassette, shifters and a chain*...and a pile of money
*
You may need cables, cable housing, handlebar tape and, possibly but not probably, new chainwheels if the chain doesn't mesh with the 8 speed chainwheels.